Burglaries put Bedford on edge once again

By SUSAN CLARKUnion Leader Correspondent

BEDFORD — Police continue to investigate a rash of burglaries that took place in town over the past several days.

Burglars targeted five residences on Ministerial Road, Boynton Street, Lynn Drive, Quincy Drive and Nancy Lane from Friday, July 12, to Monday, July 15, taking electronics and jewelry. The break-ins could have happened any time between 10 a.m. and midnight but most likely from 1 to 8 p.m. Police said similar items were taken in each burglary, and the cases are under investigation.

Bedford Police Capt. Dan Douidi said residents should be proactive to keep their families and properties safe while they’re at work or on vacation.

People should lock their doors and vehicles, leave lights on or use timers, and keep a neighborhood watch.

“Watch over your neighbors. Neighbors can help neighbors by keeping an eye out on a vacant home. And if you have an alarm, use it — and be sure to activate it,” said Douidi.

If residents encounter a burglary in progress, Douidi said, they should not interfere.

“Call police immediately and, if they can’t, leave the house safely and quickly to a safe location,” Douidi said.

The Bedford community was on edge from November 2012 to April after a home invasion at the 7 Proclamation Court residence of Dr. Eduardo Quesada and his wife, Sonia, on Nov. 24. Two intruders attacked the couple as they returned home.

Dr. Quesada, 52, was stabbed multiple times in the head with a screwdriver, causing facial fractures, cuts and bleeding in the brain. Sonia Quesada was sexually and physically assaulted several times, causing her to lose sight in one eye. The couple’s 2-year-old daughter was unharmed.

At the time, police said the motive appeared to be financial gain, and there was no indication the Quesadas had any connection to their attackers.

Six weeks after the home invasion, Sonia Quesada was found dead at her mother-in-law’s home at 49 Kensington Lane in Bedford. Her husband was also found at the address, alive but unconscious near a pile of prescription drugs. An autopsy showed Sonia Quesada died of a drug overdose.

In April, Charles Normil, 32, was arrested in connection with the crime. He was charged with two counts of attempted murder and first-degree assault, and one count of aggravated felonious sexual assault, falsifying physical evidence and burglary. Over a 4½-month period, state, federal and county law enforcement agencies assisted in the investigation. Police have not said whether a second person is in custody.

Secure your home

Police said residents should secure all doors and windows as well as any window air-conditioners, and use motion-detection lighting. If residents are going on vacation for a few days or an extended period of time, they can contact the Bedford Police Department to request a free vacant property check.

In addition, people should keep serial numbers of computer equipment for future reference, and if you own a computer or device that can be remotely located if lost or stolen, make sure that feature is activated. You should also keep photographs of any important, expensive or keepsake jewelry to help investigators recover your property. Other safety tips include having mail and newspaper delivery suspended or picked up by a neighbor.

If anyone has information about the five residential burglaries, they should call the Bedford Police Department at 472-5113. Residents also should immediately report any suspicious activity, people, noises or vehicles in their neighborhoods to police.sclark@newstote.com